DHANALAKSHMI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, CHENNAI DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING MG SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT

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1 DHANALAKSHMI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, CHENNAI DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING MG SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT I : INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT PART A (2 Marks) 1. Define Project A project is defined as specific plan or design, planned undertaking and large undertaking. Project is also defined as a planned activity. Example: Public works 2. Define Process [N 11] Process is a set of activities which involves substantial interaction among two or more organizations. If a single organization performs most or all of the activities, the description of those activities is generally considered as procedure. Process description is a document which includes the results of the process definition and describes the process in more detail. 3. List some of the key characteristics of project. [N 12, M -12] Some of the key characteristics of project are Non-routine tasks are involved. Planning is required. The project has a predetermined time span. People are formed into temporary work group to carry out the task. Work is carried out in several phases. The resources that are available for use on the project are constrained. 4. Define Software Project Management Software Project Management is the art and science of planning and leading software projects. It is a sub-discipline of project management in which software projects are planned, monitored and controlled. 5. List out the factors that decide the success of a project. [N 12, M -12] Factors that decide the success of a project are Schedule Scope Cost Quality Staff

2 6. Distinguish between verification and validation. Verification 1) Are we building the product right? 2) Verification refers to the set of activities that ensure that the software correctly implements a specific function. Validation 1) Are we building the right product? 2) Validation refers to a different set of activities that ensure that the software that has been built is traceable to customer requirements. 7. Define Management Management is defined as the combination of set of activities such as planning, organizing, staffing, directing, monitoring, controlling, innovating and representing. Management can also be defined as the challenges fared by the leader/manager of an organization. 8. List out the elements of product description. The elements of product description are the name of the product the purpose of the product the derivation of the product the composition of the product the form of the product the relevant standards 9. List out any three problems associated with software projects. Some of the problems associated with software projects are Poor estimates and plans Lack of quality standards and measures Change of environment Changing requirements Lack of communication between user and technician Lack of durability 10. Differentiate software projects from other projects. [M 12, N - 11] The characteristics of software projects are Invisibility Complexity Conformity Flexibility

3 11. Define Product Breakdown Structure [PBS] [M 12] The products will form a hierarchy. The main products will have sets of component products which in turn may have sub-component products, and so on. These relationships can be documented in a Product Breakdown Structure [PBS]. Product Breakdown Structure [PBS] is presented as a hierarchy diagram. It may be more convenient to produce a structured list. 12. List out the categories of stakeholders. The categories of stakeholders are Internal to the project team External to the project team but within the same organization External to both the project team and the organization 13. List out the competencies of project management skills. Some of the competencies of project management skills are Documenting plan Estimating cost Estimating effort Managing risks Scheduling Tracking processes 14. Define Feasibility study Feasibility study assesses whether a project is worth starting. Information is gathered about the requirements of the proposed application. The study could be part of a strategic planning exercise examining a range of potential software development. 15. Define Strategic Planning Strategic planning is an organization s process of defining its strategy, or duration and making decisions on allocating its resources to pressure this strategy including its capital and people. It is the process of identifying an organization s long term goals and objectives and then determining the best approach for achieving those goals and objective 16. Define PM Triangle It is a model of the constraints of project management. It is a graphic aid where the three attributes show on the corners of the triangle to show opposition. It is useful to help with intentionally choosing project biases, or analyzing the goals of a project. It is used to illustrate that project management success is measured by the project team's ability to manage the project, so that the expected results are produced while managing time and cost.

4 PART B (16 Marks) 1. Write notes on contract management. (8) 2. Explain in detail, the various SDLC activities as outlined by ISO with a neat diagram. (8) [M-12, N -12] 3. Explain in detail, the various activities to be performed in analyzing the project characteristics. (8) 4. Explain in detail, the activities of software project management with an example. (16) [M -12] [N -12, N - 11] 5. What is Project Breakdown Structure (PBS)? Draw the hierarchical diagram of a sample PBS. (16) 6. Explain in detail, stepwise project planning activities with a neat diagram. (16) [N 12] 7. Identify the data to be collected to ensure that during the execution of a project things are going according to the plan. (16) [N 11] 8. Draw product breakdown structure and product flow diagram for online ticket reservation. (16) 9. What is Management? Explain in detail, management control. (16)

5 UNIT II : PROJECT EVALUATION PART A (2 Marks) 1. Define Technical Assessment Technical assessment of a proposed system consists of evaluating whether the required functionality can be achieved with current affordable technologies. Organizational policy aimed at providing a consistent hardware/software infrastructure is limit the technical solutions considered. 2. Define Project Portfolio Management Project portfolio management provides an overview of all the projects that an organization is undertaking or is considering. It provides the allocation of resources to projects and decides which new projects should be accepted and which existing ones should be dropped. 3. List out the disadvantages of project portfolio management. The disadvantages of project portfolio management are The project portfolio may not accurately reflect organizational activity if some projects are excluded. There are some problems in coordination and resource allocation. 4. Define Programme Programme in software project strategic assessment is defined as a group of projects that are managed in a coordinated way to gain benefits that would not be possible were the projects to be managed independently. Different forms of programmes are business cycle programme, strategic programme, infrastructure programme and research and development programme. 5. List out the principles for selecting a project team. The key principles are Good Communication Technical skills 24/7 working time 6. Define Portfolio Relates to, denoting, or engaged in an employment pattern that involves a succession of short-term contracts and part-time work, rather than the more traditional model of a long-term single job.

6 7. List out the goals of Software project. Quality Speed Accuracy Time cost 8. List out any two steps that are used in cost benefit analysis. The two steps that are used in cost benefit analysis are Identifying all of the costs and benefits of carrying out the project and operating the delivered application. Expressing these costs and benefits in common units. 9. Define Payback period Payback period is the time taken to break even or payback the initial investment. The project with shortest payback period will be chosen on the basis that an organization will wish to minimize the time that the project is in debt. 10. List out the advantages and the disadvantages of payback period. The advantage of the payback period is that it is simple to calculate and is not particul sensitive to small forecasting errors. The disadvantage of payback period is that it ignores the overall profitability of the project. 11. Define Return On Investment The Return On Investment also known as Accounting Rate of Return [ARR]. It provides the way of comparing the net profitability to the investment required. ROI can be calculated using the following formula, [M 12] 12. State the significance of cost benefit analysis. The significance of cost benefit analysis are Takes a community wide perspective 1) Allows the consideration of a range of policy option. 2) Determine which policy maximizes net benefits to the community. 3) Allows benefits and costs to be compared over time. 4) Can show the cost and benefits occurring to different groups within community. [N 12] [N 12] 13. How Net Present Value is calculated for a project? The calculation of net present value is a project evaluation technique that takes into account the profitability of a project and the timing of the cash flows that are produced. The NPV for a project is obtained by discounting each cash flow and summing the discounted value.

7 14. Define IRR [N 11, M - 12] The Internal Rate of Return [IRR] attempts to provide a profitability measure as a percentage return that is directly comparable with interest rates. The IRR is calculated as that percentage discount rate that would produce an NPV of zero. It is most easily calculated using a spreadsheet or other computer program that provides functions for calculating the IR. 15. List out the project portfolio management models. Objectives, Functions, Performance, constraints, scope, cost or benefits. 16. Write the significance of Project Risk Matrix. Give an example. [M 12] Project risk matrix utilizing the checklist of possible risks and classifying risks according to the relative importance and likelihood. Importance and likelihood need to be separately assessed. Importance and likelihood are classified as high [H], medium [M], low[l] or exceedingly unlikely[-]. Risks Importance Likelihood Client rejects proposed look and feel of site H - Competitors undercut prices H M Warehouse unable to deal with increased demand M L Online payment has security problems M M Maintenance costs higher than estimated L L Response times deter purchases M M 17. Define Blueprint A blueprint is a reproduction of a technical drawing, documenting an architecture or an engineering design, using a contact print process on light-sensitive sheets. 18. Define Dependency Diagram Dependencies are one form of constraints for any project. Dependencies are any relationship connections between activities in a project that may impact their scheduling.

8 PART B (16 Marks) 1. Explain in detail, the Internal Rate of Return(IRR) method for measuring the profitability of a project. Also mention its advantages over the NPV method. (8) [M 12, N - 12] 2. Explain in detail, the various issues to be addressed in evaluating the risks before deciding to take up a project. (8) [M 12] 3. Explain in detail, how a project can be evaluated against strategic, technical and economic criteria. (8) [N 11] 4. Evaluate the risk involved in a project and suggest appropriate strategies for minimizing the potential cost.(8) [N 11] 5. Explain in detail, how risks are handled in a project. Give examples. (16) [N 12] 6. Explain in detail, the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) method for measuring the profitability of a project. Also mention its advantages over the NPV method. (16) 7. Explain in detail, how cost-benefit evaluation techniques can be used to choose the best among [M - 12] competing project proposals. (16) [N 11, M - 12] 8. How does the present value of future cash flow found? (8) [N - 11]

9 UNIT III : ACTIVITY PLANNING PART A (2 Marks) 1. Define Activity Planning A detailed plan for the project, however, must also include a schedule indicating the start and completion times for each activity. 2. List out the objectives of activity planning. Feasibility assessment Resource allocation Detailed costing Motivation Co-ordination. [N - 12] 3. What are the three approaches that are used to identify the activities or tasks of a Project? Activity-based approach- constraints stemming from the relationships between projects Product-based approach- instructor becomes an active member of the project team Hybrid approach- Decision support system for software project management 4. Define Product Flow Diagram Product flow diagram deals with product design stages. 5. List out the categories of WBS. Project- engineering resources has been developed by TASK Deliverables- term for the quantifiable goods or services Components- designing the floor plane Work-packages- Models for the description of software artifacts Tasks- Creation and distribution of organizing software 6. List out the main stages in a project schedule. Identifying activities Risk Analysis Resource Allocation Schedule 7. What are the types of network planning models? CPM PERT Precedence Network

10 8. Define Forward Pass Rule [N 12, M -12] The forward pass is carried out to calculate the earliest dates on which each activity may be started and completed. Significance- calculation method used in Critical Path Method 9. Define Backward Pass Rule [N - 12] The second stage in the analysis of a critical path network is to carry out a backward pass to calculate the latest date at which each activity may be started and finished without delaying the end date of the project. The calculating the latest dates, we assume that the latest finish date for the project is the same as the earliest finish date- that is we wish to complete the project as early as possible. 10. Differentiate Free Floats from Interfering Floats. How are they calculated? [M - 12] Free float is free from fixed.interfering floats have fixed contract time. 11. Define Activity-on-arrow Network [N - 12 ] Activity-on-arrow Network represent activities by links[arrows] and ime the nodes represent event of activities starting or finishing. 12. Define Dangle [M - 12] Dangle is an activity or network which has either no predecessors or no successors. It is referred to as an isolated activity. 13. Define Brainstorming Brainstorming is a group or individual creativity technique by which efforts are made to find a conclusion for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas spontaneously contributed by its member[s]. 14. Define Knowledge Management Knowledge Management deals with knowledge exploration techniques that are to be needed in working environment. [M 11, N - 12] 15. List out the factors that are used to identify the risk. Risk Identification- Organizations and project teams Risk Analysis- Includes a download demo and other decision analysis tools Risk Planning- assessment is an important part Risk Monitoring- identify Development Environment Risks. 16. Define Risk Management Contingency Deciding on the risk action Creating and maintaining the risk register.

11 17. List out the advantages of PERT. Flexibility Easy to implement Reusability

12 PART B (16 Marks) 1. Explain in detail, the different approaches for identifying, and monitoring and control activities with a neat diagram. (16) 2. Explain in detail, the different network planning models. Write examples for precedence construction. (16) 3. Explain in detail, the forward pass and backward pass with examples. (8) [M-11, N - 12] 4. Explain in detail, the critical path method that can be can be identified in precedence networks. (16) 5. Explain in detail, the steps involved in risk planning. (8) [M 12, N 12] 6. Explain in detail, the methodology that is used to evaluate the risk in a project. (8) [N 12] 7. List out the top ten software project risks and explain the strategies for reducing each of the risks. (16) [M 12, N -11] 8. How is the effect of risk on project schedule evaluated using PERT? (16) [M - 12]

13 UNIT IV : MONITORING AND CONTROL PART A (2 Marks) 1. Define Project Control Project control uses the information supplied by the monitoring techniques in order to bring project actual results in line with stated project performance standards. 2. Define Checkpoints Check points are used to measure the project evaluation time. 3. Define Review points Review points are used to measure effectiveness of the project. 4. Write a note on project steering committee. Project steering committee is used to keep track of projects on scheduled date and time. 5. List out the different categories of reporting RAG [Red, Amber, Green] Activity Assessment Sheet Time Sheet 6. Define Gantt chart Gantt chart is the simplest and oldest technique for tracking project progress. It is an activity bar chart indicating scheduled activity dates and durations, frequently augmented with activity floats. 7. Define Slip chart Slip chart provides a more sticking visual indication of those activities that are not progressing to schedule the more slip line bends, the greater the variation plan. 8. Define Ball Chart Ball Chart is used to indicate whether the expected target is met or not. 9. Define Timeline Chart It is a method of recording and displaying the way in which targets have changed throughout the duration of the project. 10. List the popular visual tools that are used for monitoring and tracking the project progress. [M 11, N - 12] Ball chart Gannt chart Timeline chart

14 11. What are the methods for assigning earned value in earned value analysis. [N - 11] 0/100 technique 50/50 technique Milestone technique 12. Define Earned value analysis is a measure of progress enables us to assess the percent of completeness of a project using quantitative analysis rather than rely on a gut feeling Provides accurate and reliable readings of performance from as early as 15 percent into the project. A technique used to help determine and manage project progress and the magnitude of any variations from the planned values concerning cost, schedule, and performance. 13. Define - BCWS It is the budgeted cost of work that has actually been performed in carrying out a scheduled task during a specific time period. NASA's definition of the BCWS is the sum of the budgets for completed work packages and completed portions of open work packages, plus the applicable portion of the budgets for level of effort and apportioned effort. 14. Define BCWP BCWP is the sum of the budgets for completed work packages and completed portions of open work packages, plus the applicable portion of the budgets for level of effort and apportioned effort. 15. Define Milestone technique A milestone is a significant event in a project, usually associated with a major work product or deliverable. Stages or phases are not milestones but are collections of related product activities. 16. Define ACWP ACWP is used to represent Actual Cost for Work Performed. 17. Define Cost variance The cost variance is measured in cost terms as EV-PV and indicates the degree to which the value of completed work differs from that planned. 18. Define CPI CPI stands for Cost Performance Index. It is the ratio between BCWP and BCWS. 19. Define - EAC In finance the equivalent annual cost [EAC] is the cost per year of owning and operating an asset over its entire lifespan.eac is often used as a decision making tool in capital budgeting when comparing investment projects of unequal lifespans.

15 20. Define- COTS In the United States, Commercial Off-The-Shelf [COTS] is a Federal Acquisition Regulation [FAR] term for goods available in the commercial marketplace that can be bought and used under government contract. For example consumer goods and construction materials may qualify but bulk cargo does not. 21. Define - EVM Earned value project/performance management [EVPM] is a project management technique for measuring project performance and progress in an objective manner. 22. Define Hazard analysis. A hazard analysis is a process used to assess risk. The results of a hazard analysis are the identification of unacceptable risks and the selection of means of controlling or eliminating them. The term is used in several engineering specialties, including avionics, chemical process safety, safety engineering and food safety. 23. Define Cost monitoring Used to compare expected cost of development system and operation with its benefits. 24. Define CCA CCA stands for construction Association. Used to help project managers in developing the project. 25. List out the contents of typical terms of contract. Areas Advantages Market Share To find new partners To distribute goods and services. 26. What are the stages of contract placement? Fixed price contracts. Time and materials contracts. Fixed price per delivered unit contracts.

16 PART B (16 Marks) 1. Explain in detail, the usage of check points in monitoring. (16) [N 12, M - 12] 2. Write any two advantages of function point analysis. (16) [N - 11] 3. Explain in detail, the bespoke system. (16) [N 11, M - 12] 4. Explain in detail, the roles and responsibilities of configuration librarian. (16) [M - 12] 5. Explain in detail, the various ways of visualizing the progress of a project. (8) [N - 12] 6. Explain in detail, the change control process applicable for an operational system. (8) [N - 12] 7. Explain in detail, the controlling changes to project requirement. (8) [N 12, M - 11] 8. Explain the various types of contracts with examples. (16) [N - 12]

17 UNIT V : MANAGING PEOPLE AND ORGANIZING TEAMS 1. Differentiate project process with product process. PART A (2 Marks) Project Process Used to describe and organize the work of the project Defined by PMI PMBOK Defined by the American society of Quality [ASQ] Product Process Specifies and create the project product. Defined by the lifecycle used Certified software Quality Engineer[CSQE] 2. Write the six classes of product domain. Customer Business Industrial Real-time Really-timely, Scientific 3. List out the three individual personality models. The Myers Briggs Type Indicator Fundamental Interpersonal Relations orientation Behavior[FIRO-B] model, The kersey Temperament sorter. 4. Define - Milestone A milestone is a significant event in a project, usually associated with a major work product or deliverable. Stages or phases are not milestones but are collections of related product activities. 5. List out the Leader s style. Telling Selling Participating Delegating

18 6. List out the five process of Project Management Institute [PMI]. Initiating Planning Executing Controlling Closing 7. Define Mission Statement Statement containing the mission of the project that is to be satisfied by project manager. 8. Define Corporate culture Corporate culture contains good communication, coordination and team work. 9. Define Organizational behavior Organizational behavior deals with organization structure, core planning and its objectives. 10. Define Taylor s View Taylor the father of scientific management had three basic objectives to work out the most productive way of doing tasks. They are To select the best person for the job. To instruct such people in the best methods. To give incentives in the form of higher wages to the best workers. Taylorism is often represented as a crude and mechanism, as he emphasis on the exclusively financial basis of staff motivation. 11. Define Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. [M 12, N - 11] Self Actualization Self Esteem/ Recognition /Achievement Belongingness Safety/ Security Physiology 12. State Herzberg s two-factor theory Maslow's need approach has been considerably modified by Frederick Herzberg. His research purports to find a two-factor theory of motivation. In one group of needs are such things as company policy and administration, supervision, working conditions, interpersonal relations, salary, status, and job security. These were found by Herzberg and his associates to be only dissatisfies and not motivators. Their existence does not motivate in the sense of yielding satisfaction; their lack of existence would, however, result in dissatisfaction. Herzberg called them maintenance, hygiene or job context factors.

19 13. List out the methods for improving motivation. Set specific tasks provide feedback Consider job design. 14. List out the stages of team formation model. [N 12, M -12] Forming- The members of the groups get to know each other and try to set up some ground rules about behavior Storming- one nice packaging, all for publishing need Norming- Asset Management is a powerful and complete asset management solution Performing- Optimize project delivery across the software 15. Write the five basic stages of development. Defining the product Documenting plan Estimating cost Estimating effort. 16. What are the advantages of functional team format? Complete the project on time Complete the project within budget. Meet requirements. Meet expectations 17. List out the categories of decisions. Planning Control Maintenance 18. List out the mental obstacles of good decision-making. Complete the project on time Complete the project within budget. Meet requirements. Meet expectations 19. Define Egoless programming [M 12, N - 11] Egoless Programming is a general term applying to the entire class of drives, desires, needs, wishes, and similar forces. Managers, as a part of motivating their staff, do all such things which they hope will satisfy these drives and desires and induce the subordinates to act in a desired manner.

20 20. Define Stress [N - 12] Projects are about overcoming obstacles and achieving objectives. Almost by definition both the project manager and team members will be under pressure. Once a project gets rolling, you should expect members to be putting in atleast 60 hours a week.. the project must except to put in as many hours as possible. Stress can be caused by role ambiguity and role conflict. 21. Define Health Health is wealth that is to be maintained. 22. Define Safety The primary goal of safety engineering is to manage risk, eliminating or reducing it to acceptable levels. Risk is the combination of the probability of a failure event, and the severity resulting from the failure. 23. What are the risk factors of health and safety? Stress Timeliness Angry Disinterest

21 PART B (16 Marks) 1. Explain in detail, the organizational behavior with examples. (16) [N - 12] 2. List out the steps involved in selecting the right person for the job. (16) [N - 12] 3. Explain in detail, the procedure for selecting a new staff and how he / she can be introduced into a project. (16) [N 11, M - 12] 4. Write a note on Oldham-Hackman Job characteristics model. (8) [M - 12] 5. Explain in detail, the Recruitment process. (8) 6. List out the characteristics that are needed to improve the group performance. (16) [N 11, N - 12] 7. Explain in detail, the leadership styles. (16) [N - 11]